Travel Warning

[The Walker]

The State Department has issued a travel warning for Americans traveling to the Philippines.

Abu Sayyaf and others have made formal threats against Americans and American interests. The Stste Department and the government of the Philippines do not take these to be idle threats.

Especially dangerous are the former hangouts of the Abu Sayyaf, such as outer Cebu. However there is credible evidence that even Manila will be dangerous for Americans for some time to come.

Since Bali these things are being taken more seriously. If you go to the RP, stay in well-travelled areas. Be especially watchful. And do not flash money. I know this applies to the Philippiones at any time, but moreso now than before.

Would I change my travel plans? No. We go mostly to Manila and Vicky's family are well protected. We hire a private (armed) driver when we go out much (mostly for Vicky's protection), and I can take care of myself. However, I would rethink my plans if I were heading for rural areas, especially in the southern Philipines.

Just a heads up; Your Mileage May Vary.

Don

[donb2222]

... in response to Travel Warning, posted by The Walker on Oct 24, 2002

Hi all!,
 Well, go ahead and start the collection for my ransom, please!  I arrived in Davao today.  It seems like a very nice city.  This is my fifth trip to the philippines, so I feel like I know my way around, and can take care of myself.
Anyway, I will be posting my observations after I return.

Don

[Humabdos]

... in response to I'm in Davao!, posted by donb2222 on Oct 25, 2002

I spent a month in Davao in Jan and Feb Have lots of info on Davao as Sallie is from there. I can recommend the Regency Inn at Villa Abrille St. our room was p850 ask for the third floor as it noisy on the fifth. Have fun and don't worry about the hype about kidnappings. It's something that doesn't happen at random but is planned out in advance.

DON'T leave Davao without going to Paradise beach resort at Samal Island it Very safe and really nice for being so close to Davao City. Great snorkeling also! rooms are P8oo you won't need air com as it has a good fan. The food was very good. Also a MUST DO is Jacks ridge restaurant over looking Davao very reasonably priced and the some of the best food I have ever had in the Philippines.

Have fun! Humabdos@aol.com

[outwest77]

... in response to Travel Warning, posted by The Walker on Oct 24, 2002

[This message has been edited by outwest77]

The State department to me, always issues travel warnings to the phils, nothing new, and any american travelling to the southern mindanao region is in much more danger than around manila, luzon.

However i would be more worried about kidnappings, having just returned from 2 months in manila, That is the primary threat to foreigners and locals, alike, bombings from abu sayeff etc is minor in comparison. Kidnappings of foreign nationals went from from about 5  , 2 years ago, to 25 or so,

Nationally kidnappings are epidemic. Most of the guys on this board ignore completely, my news of the phils that i post, why, i dont know, i guess they are safe in the US with their spouses, but with all the relatives they have in the phils it still shocks me , how my posts seem to have no meaning to them.

Ur the only one, Don who seems, concerned at all about the phils.

I have a friend here in albuquerque who he and his wife own
a big printing company, and the wife is from mindanao. He
recently ran for state district representave and won, So now the whole province thinks he is a Congressman, Needless to say he wont be making the trip back to the phils with his wife since he is a kidnapping target,

Thing is, his wife, is as much or more a target , if you ask me, they always kidnap the kids or family of who they perceive as rich people,

Anyway thanks for the post

[shadow]

... in response to Amazing to me that, posted by outwest77 on Oct 24, 2002

Outwest, I too am one of those that usually read your posts in silent dismay. Most often it is old news to me as I read the PI papers every evening, so by the time you post it I have usually read it hours before.

Unfortunately, nothing much has really changed in the PI over the last few years. The only real difference is since 9/11 more people in the US are hearing about the problem.

I refuse to let it stop me from having a good time. I feel I am much more likely to be shot by a drunken indian in the town I am currently living than I am to get into major trouble in the PI.

About 25 or so kidnappings? Out of how many thousands of foriegners visiting the PI? Unless you hang around the 5 star resorts, your odds of getting kidnapped are slim.

I live in a town that was built on an indian reservation. The population is under 1500, there were two people shot here last year alone by overly intoxicated indians. This county which is reasonably safe has had 7 murders in the last year. The population of the whole county is less than 50,000. It is a rather remote, quiet area.

Am I afraid to walk down a dark alley in Cebu?

Not hardly.

Larry.

[outwest77]

... in response to Re: Amazing to me that, posted by shadow on Oct 26, 2002

I really dont think the phils is that dangerous, in general, they sure as heck dont have drive by shootings from little hoodlums with guns, or crack dealers doing the same,

I told my family im in more danger driving down the freeway
in my city than i am in the philippines from Terrorists, they said im being illogical and refuse to open my eyes,
I said i never once saw a traffic accident in manila, i see them all the time in my city,

However, i do think if you are in the southern muslim regions, any region actually, and you are known to be a very successful businessman, or politician, it would be wise to watch your step., thats y i always dress casual/bummy, and carry not much cash, etc, just to be prudent, although i have to say i dont know anyone who has ever been robbed there, exccept maybe by the cabdrivers, hehe

[Ray]

... in response to Amazing to me that, posted by outwest77 on Oct 24, 2002

Hey out,

What in the world ever gave you the idea that you and Don are the only ones concerned at all about the Phils? Why do you say that your posts have no meaning to us? I read your posts...

Ray

[outwest77]

... in response to Huh?, posted by Ray on Oct 24, 2002

Look Below at my last 3 or 4 posts

1)bombings in manila,
2)update on bombings in manila
3)Peso hits  new Low

all are ignored , or maybe they are quietly read by
board members, and ingested, LOL

[Jay]

... in response to Scroll down, posted by outwest77 on Oct 24, 2002

Hi outwest,

I read all your post's. I also read all those RP papers and more everyday.  I just don't have anything to add either.

BTW, I noticed Matt replied to one of your post's below concerning the problems in the Philippines.

Take Care,
Jay

[Humabdos]

... in response to Re: Scroll down, posted by Jay on Oct 25, 2002

But I don't agree that the Philippines is dangerous It's just a bunch of hype. Manila like any big City anywhere  can be quite dangerous. I would feel much safer in Davao.

Hum

[Dave H]

... in response to Re: Scroll down, posted by Jay on Oct 25, 2002

[This message has been edited by Dave H]

I also read the posts, appreciate them, but have little to add either. Between myself, my wife, and our family, I am on top of the latest developments in the Philippines. As for personal safety and security in the Philippines and US, I take it very seriously, am proactive, and do a pretty darn good job taking care of myself, family, and friends. If one uses common sense, kidnapping is not as significant of a safety concern as the media would lead us to believe...probably about the same as a shark attack. As for bombs, I don't hang out with the tourists. I am much more worried about, bad food and water, robbery, buses with bad brakes on  mountain curves, and just walking across the street without being run over by the Bachelor Express. ;o)))

Dave H.

[Ray]

... in response to Same here..., posted by Dave H on Oct 25, 2002

…if you’re allowed to ride the Bachelor Express after you’re married.

When we were on our honeymoon, we were at the Butuan Terminal waiting for the Bachelor Express to Cagayan. I asked my wife if I could still ride now that I’m not a bachelor any more. She said she wasn’t sure, but maybe I should take my ring off when we board just to be safe (ROTBFLMAO!)

Ray

[Dave H]

... in response to I always wondered..., posted by Ray on Oct 25, 2002

Hey Ray,

That's a good one! Butuan to CDO by Bachelor Express bus... did they change the oil while you waited to depart? LOL

Dave H.

[Ray]

... in response to ROTBFLMAO!!!, posted by Dave H on Oct 25, 2002

Actually, it was a very nice ride. We took the air-con express with in-flight movies. They stopped to change the oil in Gingoog (I think they used coconut oil).

The conductor had a sideline going, selling Chippy's and ice cold San Miguel out of an ice chest. All the way to CDO, I was trying to compute whether we would have enough time to finish the movie and the ice chest before we arrived. A big traffic jam just outside of town saved us... :-)

Ray

[Ray]

... in response to Scroll down, posted by outwest77 on Oct 24, 2002

Actually, I had already seen all those news reports before you posted them. I just didn't have anything valuable to add, so I didn't reply. You aren't the only one who reads the Phils news reports on line :-)

Anyway, thanks for keeping us updated on what's going on...

Ray